Deringham made a gesture of resignation. "On condition that you do as
much. I am not going to be the only victim, though I fancy you could
not crumble that bread in a stamp battery. This meal, and what we have
otherwise seen at Somasco, confirms my theory that the folks who make
money in the Colonies could save as much, or more, in England if they
lived in a similar fashion."

"Would it be worth while?" asked the girl with a little smile.

"It is a question of temperament," said Deringham. "Personally, I do
not think it would. Indeed, one could fancy that a man of taste would
sooner be interred decently, which is why I will take a very little of
the tea. You see, our mode of life in England, unfortunately, depends
to some extent upon my retaining the good will of Mr. Alton of Somasco.
He will, however, have to excuse me from tasting his butter."

The girl poured a little of the tea into the cups, and then emptied the
pot over the balustrade, which was, as it happened, a blunder, because
while she endeavoured to crumble a small portion of the bread so as to
convey the impression that she had been eating it, Alton and Seaforth
came into the verandah.

The latter glanced at her, and, for he could not help it, a little
smile flickered in his eyes.

"It is a very long while since I had afternoon tea, and I am not sure
that Harry ever indulged in it in his life," he said. "I will bring
some more cups if you will give us some."